The Brother DR-3400 (known as DR-820 in North America) is a high-capacity drum unit designed for heavy-duty office printers. While the unit is rated for up to 50,000 pages, the surface of the green OPC drum can become scratched or worn much sooner. Instead of replacing the entire assembly, you can simply replace the drum cylinder itself.
In this guide, we demonstrate the disassembly and installation process. However, for critical business environments, replacing the entire module with a new genuine Brother DR-3400 remains the most reliable option for long-term performance.
Drum Replacement Process
- Removing the Old Drum: First, you must remove the side locking clips to release the drum axis. Our video shows the exact technique at [01:29].
- Cleaning the Corona Wire: Subsequently, take the opportunity to clean the internal corona wire. A dirty wire often causes vertical streaks even with a brand-new drum.
- Installing the New OPC Drum: Carefully slide in the new green drum cylinder. Crucially, avoid touching the green surface with your bare fingers, as oils can cause permanent print defects.
- Reassembling the Unit: Reinstall the axis and secure the locking clips. Ensure the drum rotates freely without resistance.
- Resetting the Drum Counter: Finally, you must reset the drum counter on the printer’s control panel. Without this step, the printer will continue to show a “Replace Drum” error.
Recommended Brother Maintenance Parts
To ensure the best results from your Brother L5000/L6000 series printer, we suggest these components:
- Full Module Replacement: Brother Genuine DR-820 (DR-3400) Drum Unit – The official replacement for maximum reliability and 30,000–50,000 page yield.
- High-Yield Toner: Brother Genuine TN-850 (TN-3480) Black Toner – Designed to work perfectly with the DR-3400 drum.
- Cleaning Essential: 99% Isopropyl Alcohol – Use this to clean the primary charge rollers for flawless backgrounds.
- Replacement Part: DR-3400 Compatible OPC Drum – The cost-effective choice for DIY repairs.
- Modern Printer Successor: Brother All in One Printers – If your machine’s internal gears are worn, now is the time for upgrade.
Expert Tip: The Corona Wire Secret
If you still see thin white vertical lines after replacing the drum, slide the green tab on top of the drum unit back and forth several times. This cleans the corona wire. Furthermore, always make sure to return the green tab to its “Home” position (marked by a small arrow), or you will get a solid black line on every page.
Check out our other Brother guides: TN-3480 Toner Refill or Fixing Printer Error 0x0000011b.
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